A planning application for a permanent multi-purpose teaching space in the Rotherhithe has been submitted.
Global Generation, an educational charity is already running the Paper Garden in the area. The charity, whose efforts in Southwark are supported by Canada Water Masterplan developer British Land, now wants to take over a disused industrial building on Quebec Way, round the back of its current site in the printworks.
Global Generation says its new site would be partly designed by young people and, like the current space, would host educational programmes and activities for locals.
“Submitting our planning application for the new Paper Garden Shed is a real milestone for us, confirming our commitment to the area and the people we serve,” the charity’s founding director Jane Riddiford said.
“Our mission is all about collaboration, be it with British Land or the local schools and community groups we work with. With technology becoming increasingly present in our lives there is an even greater need for us to provide opportunities for children and young people to engage with and be inspired by the creativity of the natural world. Our move to the new Paper Garden will help us to do this by giving us a more permanent home.”
Saul Collyns, Community Executive at British Land, added: “We’re excited to help Global Generation continue to be part of Canada Water. Over the past few years, they’ve been working with local schools and community groups to get to know the area, grow partnerships and develop programmes and activities which respond to the local context and interests, and hosted hundreds of local people in their space in the Printworks.
“The new Paper Garden will be created out of reclaimed materials from the development and will provide a fantastic community resource for years to come.”